Diabetic Sugar Substitutions
There are several sugar substitutes on the market, and the best one to use is really a personal preference. However, we’ve found that some types of sweeteners work better in cooking than others.
Here’s a list of the sweeteners:
• Splenda: “measures-like-sugar” calorie-free sweetener
• Equal: calorie-free sweetener with aspartame
• Equal Spoonful: “measures-like-sugar” calorie-free sweetener with aspartame
• Brown Sugar Twin: “measures-like-sugar” brown sugar calorie-free sweetener
Struggling to cook healthy? We'll help you prep.
Aspartame Safety
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of aspartame (sold under the trade names Equal and NutraSweet) in all foods and beverages in 1996.
Although the sweetener has come under scrutiny due to reports that it caused symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, memory loss, and seizures and was responsible for the increased incidence of brain tumors, there is no scientific research to support these complaints. None of the leading health organizations in the United States have found a causal relationship between aspartame and the adverse effects listed above.
Using Sugar Substitutes on a Diabetic Eating Plan
When you love sweets and are trying to cut back on carbohydrates to help control your blood sugar, calorie-free sweeteners and sugar substitutes can help you enjoy sweet treats without adding carbohydrates that could increase your blood sugar.
In our diabetes-friendly recipes, you’ll see that we use small amounts of a variety of sweeteners: calorie-free sweeteners, honey, fruit juices, and even real sugar.
Both the American Dietetic Association and the American Diabetes Association consider FDA-approved sugar substitutes a safe part of a calorie- or carbohydrate-controlled diet.